Sturgeon Bay Grad Jake Bscherer Ready For 2nd NFL Tryout

Sturgeon Bay Grad Jake Bscherer Ready For 2nd NFL Tryout

Jake Bscherer was invited to Minnesota
Vikings rookie camp this past weekend, but left without a contract.But at this point though, he compares his NFL
journey to a race on the track.

"I put it this way," Bscherer
says of his try out with the Vikings. "I
found my lane number for the race.There's still a lot to come.This
is just the start of it."

Wednesday Bscherer found himself on an
actual track, this one across the street from his old stomping ground at
Sturgeon Bay High School, preparing for his second rookie camp with Seattle
this weekend.

It's been a long road for
Bscherer.Back in 2004 the offensive
lineman helped lead Sturgeon Bay to a State Championship.Then after his senior season, the Wisconsin
Badgers recruit was named Wisconsin State Player of the Year and a U.S. Army
All-American.But a combination of
injuries and a lot of talented lineman in Madison led to Bscherer taking a year
off and then transferring to Division 2 Minnesota-Duluth for his final season
of eligibility.

The former left tackle was used at
right tackle and right guard at Minnesota's rookie camp.He says he's confident heading to Seattle
after the positive feedback he received from the Vikings.

"They said they were really
impressed with the way I played," Bscherer said."They said I played better than what they
expected, that I just need to be ready in case somebody goes down I'll be
getting that call."

Instead of flying straight from the
Twin Cities to the Pacific Northwest, Bscherer decided to stop back home to let
off a little stress.

"Yesterday I spent the afternoon
fishing," Bscherer said."So it was good
just to get to do a couple of things like that like and get outside and just
take your mind off certain things.But
also you kind of reflect and get ready for what's ahead."

What's ahead is trying out for a team
that already features fellow former Wisconsin offensive lineman John
Moffitt.But how exactly does a lineman
impress coaches in such a short period of time and while wearing shorts and no
pads?

"Just take advantage of the reps
where you do go a little quicker," Bscherer said."We did have some 1-on-1's (in Minnesota)
even though we didn't have pads, didn't allow bull rushes or things like
that.Just really taking advantage of
those opportunities that you have, and in meetings to just show that you're on
top of everything schematically and know the plays."

The mental part
shouldn't be a problem for the lineman who's also completing his masters of
education while pursuing his NFL dream.While he admits it may be an uphill climb, with two tryouts already,
that dream is right on track so f